Food Ventures Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

Food Ventures Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $10000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Food Ventures Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Food Ventures Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Food Ventures Program?

Food Ventures Program is funded by Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Q: Who is eligible for the Food Ventures Program program?

To be eligible for the Food Ventures Program program, you must: • Must be registered and active under Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks • Must have active operations in Nova Scotia • Must have generated at least $1,500 in annual eligible income

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Food Ventures Program?

You can contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation by email at foodventures@perennia.ca or by phone at 902-670-9572.

Q: Where is the Food Ventures Program available?

The Food Ventures Program program is available the province of NS.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Food Ventures Program program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Food Ventures Program program.

Last Update: July 25, 2025

NS, Canada

Supports Nova Scotia food businesses with quality and safety services

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $10,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Accommodation and food services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Food Ventures Program offers up to $10,000 in funding to help Nova Scotia farmers and food and beverage processors enhance competitiveness through food safety, quality improvements, and product development services. Eligible activities include training, food safety assessments, product reviews, labelling compliance, packaging, and new product development.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs per activity, to a maximum of $10,000 per company per program year.
Annual funding caps are based on gross sales: $1,500–$29,999: $3,500; $30,000–$59,999: $7,500; $60,000+: $10,000.
Training support is reimbursed at 75% of eligible registration fees, up to $600 per applicant per year.
Packaging support (label printing, Canada barcodes, primary packaging) is funded at up to 50% of eligible costs, with respective annual caps of $750 for label printing, $175 for barcodes, and $750 for primary packaging, and must be combined with other program services.
No payment processed for claims under $20.

Activities funded

Improving food safety and quality management systems for food and beverage products.
Developing new food or beverage products from initial concept to market-ready stage.
Enhancing existing products through formulation adjustments, shelf-life extension, or resolution of safety and quality issues.
Ensuring product labelling and packaging meet regulatory and market requirements, including label compliance, nutritional information, and barcode acquisition.
Undertaking staff training for food safety fundamentals and regulatory compliance.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Upgrade facility with energy-efficient lighting and insulation upgrades

$ 35,000

Purchase CNC machine for custom signage and rapid prototyping

$ 40,000

Implement a digital inventory tracking system for retail operations

$ 80,000

Acquisition of accessible transport van for community day program

$ 59,000

Modernize kitchen facilities for expanded healthy meal delivery service

$ 30,000

Develop and launch ecommerce platform for handmade crafts collective

Eligibility

The applicant must be 19 years of age or older.
The business must be registered and active under the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks (for food and beverage businesses), or properly registered under the Farm Registration Act (for farm businesses).
The business must have active operations in Nova Scotia, with a Nova Scotia address registered to the business.
The business or farm must have generated an annual eligible gross income of at least $1,500 (eligibility for certain services may be limited below this threshold).

Who is eligible?

Farm businesses in Nova Scotia
Food and beverage processors in Nova Scotia

Who is not eligible

Companies engaged in the production of cannabis products.

Eligible expenses

Registration fees for eligible training courses (up to 75% to a maximum of $600 per applicant per year)
Food safety assessments and coaching provided by Perennia specialists
Food safety product reviews, including lab analysis and safety parameter testing
Development of pathogen monitoring programs, including swabbing and product testing
Routine swabbing and product testing for food pathogens
Nutrition Facts table creation for eligible products
Label review for regulatory compliance
Product assessments and improvements, including analytical testing
New product development services
Recommended best before date (shelf life evaluation)
Label printing, when combined with Perennia label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development (up to $750 per year)
Purchase of GS1 barcodes (up to $175 per year), when combined with label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development
Primary packaging purchases for regulatory compliance or market entry (up to $750 per year), when combined with label review and/or Nutrition Facts table development

Eligible geographic areas

Nova Scotia

How to apply

Confirm eligibility and gather information

Review eligibility requirements for your business or farm
Consult program guidelines to ensure your project fits the objectives
Gather necessary documents and information to demonstrate eligibility
Contact Perennia specialists for no-cost technical advice if needed

Submit application form

Complete the online or downloadable application form on the program website
Ensure all required information and supporting documents are included
Submit your application before October 31, 2025

Await project review and recommendation

Perennia specialists review your project and provide a recommendation with estimated costs
Approve or decline the recommendation in the portal or via email
Application is reviewed by a committee from Perennia and Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture

Sign Letter of Agreement

If approved, receive a Letter of Agreement outlining project activities, funding, and terms
Review, sign and return the Letter of Agreement

Start project activities and keep records

Upon signature and down payment, begin project work as agreed
Keep records and invoices for all eligible expenses incurred

Submit claim with supporting documents

Complete and sign the claim form received after your Letter of Agreement
Attach all required invoices and proofs of payment for eligible expenses
Submit your claim with documentation to Perennia by February 28, 2026

Wait for claim approval and payment

Wait for Perennia to review your claim and documentation
Payment is made for approved claims exceeding $20.00

Additional information

Applicants under $1,500 in annual gross sales are only eligible for training, food safety product reviews, and Nutrition Facts table creation.
Technical advice from program specialists is available at no charge as part of the program.
No payment will be made for claims under $20.00.
Applicants consent to the release of their name and amount of support received, as this information is deemed public and may be disseminated by Perennia.

Contacts

foodventures@perennia.ca

902-670-9572

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Ventures Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Food Ventures Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.